Sheboygan, Wisconsin, has been a recurring joke on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, often used to mock political figures and their statements. The city's name has been invoked in various contexts, from funny town names to presidential visits, and even in a shark attack scene from the movie Jaws. Colbert's use of Sheboygan as a punchline highlights the city's unique place in American culture and its ability to capture the public's imagination.
One of the most memorable instances of Colbert's Sheboygan jokes occurred in December 2024, when he made a joke about the name of the town Luigi Mangione, who was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, for the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Colbert's quip, 'Fleeing to one of America’s funny name towns. Police will always find you right away, whether it’s Altoona, Pennsylvania, Rancho Cucamonga, California, or Sheboygan, Wisconsin,' drew laughter from the audience and a playful reference to the city's name.
Another notable mention of Sheboygan occurred in June 2024, when Colbert joked about President Donald Trump's comments about Milwaukee being a 'horrible city.' Colbert's response to Trump's dissing of Milwaukee, a city hosting the Republican National Convention, was a playful reminder of the city's resilience and the show's previous apology for making fun of it. Colbert's jokes about Sheboygan and Milwaukee's lack of crowd reaction during Biden's visit further highlight the city's unique place in American culture and its ability to capture the public's imagination.
In my opinion, Colbert's use of Sheboygan as a punchline is a testament to the city's enduring appeal and its ability to capture the public's imagination. The city's name has become a part of the American cultural lexicon, often used to mock political figures and their statements. Sheboygan's unique place in American culture and its ability to capture the public's imagination make it a fascinating subject for further exploration and analysis.
